Comments on: How To Loosen a Stiff Chain Link

By: Geoff

Geoff — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:58:57 +0000

This video clip rocked! Thanks for you help!

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:30:34 +0000

@Anthony: Here is a video that shows how to check your chain.

By: Bob Gelman

Bob Gelman — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:08:01 +0000

I’ve always loosened stiff links with the sideways bend you demonstrate Alex.

However, in RoadBikeRider.com Newsletter
Issue No. 353 – 07/24/08 I read:

“Quick Tip: Shimano Chain Mistake. Here’s a follow-up to an item we published a few newsletters ago about loosening a stiff chain link. It comes from Shimano’s Wayne Stetina, who says, “Never, never, never [flex a stiff link sideways to free it] especially for 10-speed, but also for 9-speed chains. We need to get people away from this lazy bad habit when installing Shimano chains. If a Shimano chain does not move freely, the pin is not correctly seated in the back plate. If it is correctly seated, it will automatically be correctly centered. Loosening it (by flexing sideways) may cause the connector pin to pull out of the plate. It will definitely cause a 10-speed chain to fail.”

So, I’ll be using my CHAIN TOOL to slightly push (seat) the pin on Shimano 9 or 10 speed chains where it is stiff rather than the “traditional” sideways-bend method….

Cheers,

Bob

By: Carl

Carl — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:50:16 +0000

Ah! This is genius! So simple. I want to go home right now and try that sideways-bend on my bike’s stuck chain. I tried all sorts of lubricants and cleaners but never thought to try bending it that way to adjust the tension. What a great trick!

Thanks for this and the whole website. I’ve spent all morning watching the vids. Very professionally done.

By: Anthony Dacko

Anthony Dacko — Sun, 11 May 2008 09:29:33 +0000

Hi Alex,

I would like to give a word on the use of a bike chain checker. Not only will this tool allow people to check for where on there bike chain but it all so allows them to know before they start to adjust gear settings on there bike.

I know the chain should be replaced at 0.75 % or 1 % but most people don’t know how to check there chain the cost of a chain checker is very low in my country it is from £ 7 pound to £ 20 Pound.

I think every one that rides a bike should have one not only will this save them money in the long run but it all so saves on more expensive parts of the bike needing replacing sooner.

I think a video on how to check a chain would be a excellent way to be a first call if your gear system was not working right Park tools web site cover this tool but on there site it is not very clear how to use one so a total beginner may fine this a bit hard to use. Both videos on parks web site don’t have any sound.

Regards

Anthony Dacko.
United Kingdom

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